Growing up around greenery is good for the brain
A recent study has revealed that being raised in a greener neighbourhood could be beneficial to brain development. Using a high-resolution 3D magnetic resonance image (MRI), 253 children were scanned as part of a study, which found that primary school children who were raised in homes surrounded by green space presented larger volumes of white and grey matter in different areas of the brain. This increase has been associated with improved cognitive function
Clever coatings could create smart windows
The development of a new hi-tech coating at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, is paving the way for ‘smart windows’. These self-adjusting vanadium dioxide coatings will react to changing temperatures. When it gets hot, the coating becomes opaque to infrared radiation (to reduce solar heating) while remaining transparent to visible light so that it can still be seen through. Smart vanadium dioxide-coated windows are around 70 per cent more energy-efficient in the summer and 45 per cent more efficient during the winter compared to standard double-glazing, leading to significant energy savings and environmental benefits.
Horses descend from a spotty ancestor
Astudy of the family tree of modern-day horses has revealed that they descend froma horsewith a Dalmatian style coat. Researchers analysed genes of 88 ancient and modern horses from a range of eras across Eurasia. Previously believed to have descended from the Botai horses of Kazakhstan, the team discovered the true ancestors are the ‘wild’ Przewalski horses from the Mongolian region.
There’s snakeshaped ‘smoke’ in space
Around 600lightyears away, in the constellation of Scorpius, a serpentine region of ‘smoke’ has been imaged, illuminated by the light of newly formed stars. Known as Lupus 3, the cloud of smoke is in fact a dark nebula. This unusual shape is created by the stars’ intense radiation and strong stellar winds, which have swept away the surrounding gas and dust.
Elephants show different personalities just like humans
Researchers at the University of Turku, Finland, studied over 250 timber elephants in semi-captive natural habitats. Working alongside manouts, researchers conducted surveys between 2014 and 2017, assessing the elephants based on 28 different traits using a four-point scale. From the data collected, the team were able to identify three personality factors: attentiveness, sociability and aggressiveness.
Six new anteater species have been discovered
A group of Brazilian scientists have discovered six new species of silky anteaters scattered across South and CentralAmerica. They were previously believed to be seven separate populations of ones pecies, but after genetically sequencing 287specimens, the team revealed that the seven anteater sub-types were actually completely different species altogether.
Smartphones could be charged by lasers
Engineers at the University of Washington are developing a new technology to charge smartphones using an invisible laser. The laserbeam would target a thin power cell on the back of phones to enable charging from a distance.Harmless ‘guard beams’ would also be used to detect people and turn the laser off as they pass.
Gut bacteria may help fight against sepsis
An investigation published in the journal Cell Host & Microbe has revealed that gut microbes prompt the immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody response that combats bacterial sepsis. When mice were given beneficial bacteria it promoted the release of IgA and led to an increased resistance to sepsis. However, these results have only been observed in mice; further study is needed to investigate the role of microbes in sepsis protection.
The clearest image of our galaxy’s centre has been taken
A research team have produced a high-resolution map of the magnetic field lines in the gas and dust orbiting the supermassive blackhole at the centre of our galaxy. By observing the infrared light, aswell as X-rays and radio waves, the team were able to create an image of the magnetic fields interacting with the black hole (located at the centre of the image below).
Scorpion venom can treat arthritis
A new study suggests a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis could be derived from a component of scorpion venom. The substance, called iberiotoxin, may be able to block the potassium channels to a group of cells that play a major role in arthritis development. To date, research has been isolated to rat models. It found that iberiotoxin stopped progression and in some cases reversed signs of the alreadyestablished disease.